EssilorLuxottica is partnering with its brand Oakley. Together, they are developing a historic project that will push the boundaries of augmented reality (AR) technology. This partnership comes as Meta, the parent company of Facebook, plans to collaborate with Oakley on a similar initiative.
As previously reported by Bloomberg, Meta is currently hard at work on AR-esque smart glasses. There’s no question that these glasses are going to have some remarkable capabilities that are wildly appealing to consumers. The partnership with Oakley represents a tactical advance for the brands themselves. With these devices, they want to combine Oakley’s deep knowledge in sports eyewear with Meta’s latest breakthroughs in augmented reality.
EssilorLuxottica, renowned for owning multiple eyewear brands, has long been recognized for its commitment to innovation in the optical industry. By falling in step with Meta, the company hopes to grow its influence in the quickly growing arena of augmented reality. Together, this partnership could create a new standard for how consumers engage with technology through wearables.
The partnership between Meta and Oakley is especially noteworthy. Oakley’s reputation as a leader within the technical sports and lifestyle markets is well established. Oakley himself brings an exquisite design eye. Meta brings in state-of-the-art technology. Together, they will shape a product where style meets function.
Bloomberg’s reporting gives us new context to understand that Meta’s AR glasses will be deeply practical. Even more broadly, they’ll enhance the user experience by seamlessly integrating virtual and real-world environments. Meta is making a good faith effort to create products that promote social engagement. Together, these initiatives will work to make our highly-digitized world more connected than ever.
The long-term impact of this new collaborative approach reaches far beyond how products are developed. It could change the way consumers think about and expect wearable technology to fit into their lives. As EssilorLuxottica continues to innovate and adapt within the eyewear market, its partnership with Meta could usher in a new era of interactive eyewear.